Rome and China

Aims of the course

This course aims to:
1. Encourage enhanced awareness of issues in the history of ancient empires.
2. Develop awareness of theoretical and methodological issues in historical comparison.
3. Encourage confidence and competence in gathering, handling and assessing arguments, and evidence.

Content

2000 years ago, following centuries of war, 30 per cent of the world's people were subject to either the Romans or the Chinese. To support their peoples, both encouraged technological intensification. Between them, they counted the world's biggest cities. Yet, although both developed legal systems, their modes of government were quite unalike: while China pursued an ambitious vision of centralised regulation, the Romans depended on 'government without bureaucracy'. The Roman paradox can be explained, in part, by very successful propagation of ideas and, in part, on the other hand, by continuing prominence of the army. The Chinese, by contrast, gradually reduced the military's role in public affairs. Yet, although it looks as though that policy was fatal, the Romans eventually lost half of their Empire to invaders too; and, in the perspective of world history, it could be said that the two courses of events were determined by the same fundamental causes. Can we distinguish those causes?

Our explorations will begin with a general assessment of the scope for imperialism in the ancient world. Then, turning to the histories of Rome and China, weconsider similarities and contrasts in the respective patterns of development. For both cases, it has long been widely assumed that events were driven by the visions and skills of exceptional leaders; but we must cross-examine this interpretation. We shall then be able to consider the contrasts in modes of government and the balances of public persuasion and force for sustaining the empires. Were they admirable achievements? Were they the effects of contradiction and weakness in either the capitals or the provinces? Was the whole surging struggle of their twin histories merely a response to opportunities or problems that embraced much more of the world than even their two vast territories?

Presentation of the course

Illustrated lectures will set out the principles and, guided by the Course Director, you will be encouraged to discuss them.

Class sessions

1. Ancient empires
What were the main factors that shaped imperialism in the ancient world? Was ancient imperialism distinct from more modern forms?

2. Qin and Han history
How did the Qin and Han empires arise, how were they maintained, and how did they fall apart?

3. Chinese administration
How did the Qin and the Han regulate their peoples? How did their institutions of government develop?

4. Qin and Han ideology
What was the contribution of ideas to the integration of the Qin and Han regimes? Did their ideas adapt appropriately to changing conditions?

5. Qin and Han impacts
How much difference did the Qin and Han regimes make to people's lives? New archaeological discoveries are allowing us to assess this issue more convincingly.

6. The Roman Empire's history
How was the Roman Empire formed, how did it manage to survive for so long and what caused its so-called 'fall'?

7. Roman administration
What were the features and varieties of Roman administration and how did they develop?

8. Roman ideology
What was the contribution of ideas to the integration of the Roman Empire? Were all of the prevailing ideas equally effective?

9. Roman impacts
How much difference did the Roman Empire make to people's lives? That varied greatly from region to region. Archaeological discoveries allow us to assess this issue more convincingly.

10. Ancient imperialism: strong or weak?
How effective were the early Chinese and Roman empires? What do our answers show about how imperialism works?

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes for this course are:
1. Enhanced awareness of factors and issues in the history of ancient empires.
2. Awareness of the principal features of Roman and early Chinese imperialism.
3. Awareness of theoretical and methodological issues in historical comparison.
4. To develop an enhanced competence and confidence in assembling, handling and assessing argument and evidence.

Required reading

There is no required reading for this course.

Typical week: Monday to Friday

Courses run from Monday to Friday. For each week of study, you select a morning (Am) course and an afternoon (Pm) course. The maximum class size is 25 students. 

Courses are complemented by a series of daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.

Evaluation and Academic Credit 

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses. 

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £75 per essay.

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically after the programme.